U.S. patent application number 13/643911 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-11 for numerically-controlled machine tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Hidetake Kiryu, Kenji Kura, Akihiko Matsumura, Hirokazu Matsushita, Hiroshi Oishi, Hideaki Yamamoto. Invention is credited to Hidetake Kiryu, Kenji Kura, Akihiko Matsumura, Hirokazu Matsushita, Hiroshi Oishi, Hideaki Yamamoto.
Application Number | 20130090755 13/643911 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45772545 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130090755 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kiryu; Hidetake ; et
al. |
April 11, 2013 |
NUMERICALLY-CONTROLLED MACHINE TOOL
Abstract
Provided is a numerically-controlled machine tool provided with:
a tool measuring sensor that measures the length and diameter of a
tool; a workpiece measuring sensor that measures the
three-dimensional shape, and position and orientation of a
workpiece in a non-contact manner by laser beam etc.; and a control
device, which, after determining the position of the machining
starting point and the slope of a reference plane on the basis of
information from the workpiece measuring sensor, on the basis of an
inputted machining program, machines the workpiece to the intended
final form by simulation from the information from the sensors, the
position of the machining starting point and the slope of the
reference plane, thereby determining whether there are any
machining loads greater than or equal to a specified value, and
whether any of the workpiece has been left behind, and displays the
determined results via a display device.
Inventors: |
Kiryu; Hidetake; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Matsushita; Hirokazu; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Kura; Kenji; (Tokyo, JP) ; Matsumura; Akihiko;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Yamamoto; Hideaki; (Tokyo, JP)
; Oishi; Hiroshi; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kiryu; Hidetake
Matsushita; Hirokazu
Kura; Kenji
Matsumura; Akihiko
Yamamoto; Hideaki
Oishi; Hiroshi |
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo |
|
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES,
LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
45772545 |
Appl. No.: |
13/643911 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
July 25, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/066800 |
371 Date: |
December 7, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23Q 17/2461 20130101;
B23Q 17/22 20130101; G05B 2219/35303 20130101; B23Q 17/2471
20130101; B23Q 17/2466 20130101; G05B 19/4069 20130101; B23Q 17/20
20130101; G05B 11/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/186 |
International
Class: |
G05B 11/01 20060101
G05B011/01 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 31, 2010 |
JP |
2010-193180 |
Claims
1. A numerically-controlled machine tool comprising: a main spindle
to which a tool is detachably attached and which is configured to
rotate the tool; a table configured to fix and support a workpiece;
tool measuring means for measuring a length and a diameter of the
tool attached to the main spindle; workpiece measuring means for
measuring a three-dimensional shape, a position, and an orientation
of the workpiece fixed and supported onto the table in a
non-contact manner; information displaying means for displaying
information; and controlling means for finding a position of a
machining start point and an inclination of a reference plane on
the basis of information from the work measuring means, then
determining at least one of presence of a machining load equal to
or above a prescribed value and presence of a portion of the
workpiece left unmachined by performing simulation of machining the
workpiece on the table to an intended final shape on the basis of
an inputted machining program while using information from the tool
measuring means and the workpiece measuring means as well as the
position of the machining start point and the inclination of the
reference plane, and displaying a determined result by using the
information displaying means.
2. The numerically-controlled machine tool according to claim 1,
wherein the controlling means is configured to further determine
presence of interference of the workpiece side with the tool side
by performing the simulation of machining the workpiece on the
table to the intended final shape on the basis of the machining
program while using the information from the tool measuring means
and the workpiece measuring means as well as the position of the
machining start point and the inclination of the reference plane,
and to display a determined result by using the information
displaying means.
3. The numerically-controlled machine tool according to claim 1,
wherein the controlling means is configured to compare the found
position of the machining start point and the found inclination of
the reference plane with a position of a machining start point and
an inclination of a reference plane assumed in the inputted
machining program, and when at least one of the found position of
the machining start point and the found inclination of the
reference plane does not comply with at least one of the assumed
position of the machining start point and the assumed inclination
of the reference plane, to display information indicating the
non-compliance by using the information displaying means.
4. The numerically-controlled machine tool according to claim 1,
wherein the controlling means is configured to compare the shape of
the workpiece on the table measured by the workpiece measuring
means with a shape of the workpiece assumed in the inputted
machining program, and when the shape of the workpiece on the table
does not comply with the assumed shape of the workpiece, to display
information indicating the non-compliance by using the information
displaying means.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a numerically-controlled
machine tool such as a machining center, a horizontal boring
machine or a double column piano milling machine.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A numerically-controlled machine tool such as a machining
center, a horizontal boring machine or a double column plano
milling machine has heretofore been configured to determine a
machining start point, an inclination of a reference plane, and the
like prior to machining by measuring a position of a predetermined
portion of a workpiece fixed and supported onto a table, and the
like by use of a contact sensor such as a touch probe.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literatures
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication
No. Hei 6-055407 [0004] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2009-163414 [0005] Patent Literature 3:
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-108292
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] In the meantime, when a contact sensor such as a touch probe
is used in an attempt to three-dimensionally measure a shape of a
workpiece, a moving speed (a feeding speed) of the contact sensor
such as a touch probe cannot be set very fast in the light of
accuracy and significant time is wasted as a consequence.
[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is
to provide a numerically-controlled machine tool which is capable
of quickly measuring an actual three-dimensional condition of a
workpiece attached onto a table via a jig or the like.
Solution to Problem
[0008] A numerically-controlled machine tool of the present
invention for solving the above problem is characterized in that
the machine tool comprises: a main spindle to which a tool is
detachably attached and which is configured to rotate the tool; a
table configured to fix and support a workpiece; tool measuring
means for measuring a length and a diameter of the tool attached to
the main spindle; workpiece measuring means for measuring a
three-dimensional shape, a position, and an orientation of the
workpiece fixed and supported onto the table in a non-contact
manner; information displaying means for displaying information;
and controlling means for finding a position of a machining start
point and an inclination of a reference plane on the basis of
information from the work measuring means, then determining at
least one of presence of a machining load equal to or above a
prescribed value and presence of a portion of the workpiece left
unmachined by performing simulation of machining the workpiece on
the table to an intended final shape on the basis of an inputted
machining program while using information from the tool measuring
means and the workpiece measuring means as well as the position of
the machining start point and the inclination of the reference
plane, and displaying a determined result by using the information
displaying means.
[0009] Meanwhile, a numerically-controlled machine tool of the
present invention according to the numerically-controlled machine
tool described above is characterized in that the controlling means
is configured to further determine presence of interference of the
workpiece side with the tool side by performing the simulation of
machining the workpiece on the table to the intended final shape on
the basis of the machining program while using the information from
the tool measuring means and the workpiece measuring means as well
as the position of the machining start point and the inclination of
the reference plane, and to display a determined result by using
the information displaying means.
[0010] Meanwhile, a numerically-controlled machine tool of the
present invention according to the numerically-controlled machine
tool described above is characterized in that the controlling means
is configured to compare the found position of the machining start
point and the found inclination of the reference plane with a
position of a machining start point and an inclination of a
reference plane assumed in the inputted machining program, and when
at least one of the found position of the machining start point and
the found inclination of the reference plane does not comply with
at least one of the assumed position of the machining start point
and the assumed inclination of the reference plane, to display
information indicating the non-compliance by using the information
displaying means.
[0011] Meanwhile, a numerically-controlled machine tool of the
present invention according to the numerically-controlled machine
tool described above is characterized in that the controlling means
is configured to compare the shape of the workpiece on the table
measured by the workpiece measuring means with a shape of the
workpiece assumed in the inputted machining program, and when the
shape of the workpiece on the table does not comply with the
assumed shape of the workpiece, to display information indicating
the non-compliance by using the information displaying means.
Advantageous Effect of Invention
[0012] According to a numerically-controlled machine tool of the
present invention, the three-dimensional shape, the position, and
the orientation of the workpiece fixed and supported onto the table
are measured with the workpiece measuring means in a non-contact
manner. Thus, an actual three-dimensional condition of the
workpiece attached onto the table via a jig or the like can be
quickly measured.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main
embodiment of a numerically-controlled machine tool according to
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of principal part of the
main embodiment of the numerically-controlled machine tool
according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of the principal part of the
main embodiment of the numerically-controlled machine tool
according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0016] An embodiment of a numerically-controlled machine tool
according to the present invention will be described below with
reference to the drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the
present invention is not limited only to the embodiment described
with reference to the drawings.
Main Embodiment
[0017] A main embodiment of a numerically-controlled machine tool
according to the present invention will be described with reference
to FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a numerically-controlled machine tool
100 of this embodiment includes: a main spindle 102 to which a tool
101 can be detachably attached and which is configured to rotate
the tool 101; a table 103 configured to fix and support a workpiece
1; a tool measuring sensor 104 serving as tool measuring means for
measuring two-dimensional shapes, namely, a length and a diameter
of the tool 101 attached to the main spindle 102; and workpiece
measuring sensors 105 serving as workpiece measuring means for
measuring a three-dimensional shape of a combination of a jig and
the workpiece 1 fixed and supported onto the table 103 in a
non-contact manner with a laser beam or the like.
[0019] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the tool measuring sensor
104 and the workpiece measuring sensors 105 are electrically
connected to an input unit of a control device 106 serving as
controlling means. Moreover, an input device 107 serving as
inputting means for inputting various machining conditions
including a machining program and the like is electrically
connected to the input unit of the control device 106.
[0020] In the meantime, an output unit of the control device 106 is
electrically connected to each of: a drive motor 108 which is
configured to rotate the tool 101 attached to the main spindle 102;
drive motors 109 to 111 which are configured to move the main
spindle 102 and the table 103 in such a manner as to move the tool
101 and the workpiece 1 relatively in X, Y, and Z axis directions;
and a display device 112 serving as information displaying means
such as a speaker or a monitor for displaying a variety of
information in the form of sounds or images. The control device 106
is capable of controlling actions of the motors 108 to 111 on the
basis of information from the sensors 104, 105 and information
inputted from the input device 107, and of displaying the variety
of information on the display device 112 (to be described later in
detail).
[0021] Next, actions of the numerically-controlled machine tool 100
of this embodiment will be described.
[0022] First, various machining conditions including the machining
program are inputted to the control device 106 by using the input
device 107 (S1 in FIG. 3). When the tool 101 is attached to the
main spindle 102, the control device 106 activates the motors 109
to 111 and thereby moves the tool 101 and the tool measuring sensor
104 relatively in the X, Y, and Z axis directions (S2 in FIG. 3) in
such a manner as to measure the two-dimensional external sizes
including the length and the diameter of the tool 101 with the tool
measuring sensor 104.
[0023] Thus, the control device 106 determines the actual
two-dimensional external sizes of the tool 101 including a length
between an end of the main spindle and a tip of the tool 101, a
diameter on the tip side, and the like on the basis of the
information from the tool measuring sensor 104.
[0024] Subsequently, when the workpiece 1 is fixed and supported
onto the table 103 via the jig, the control device 106 activates
the motors 109 to 111 and thereby moves the workpiece measuring
sensors 105 and the workpiece 1 relatively in the X, Y, and Z axis
directions (S3 in FIG. 3) in such a manner as to measure the
three-dimensional external shape, a position, and an orientation of
the combination of the jig and the workpiece 1 on the table 103
with the workpiece measuring sensors 105.
[0025] Thus, the control device 106 determines the actual
three-dimensional external shape, position, and orientation of the
combination of the jig and the workpiece 1 on the table 103 on the
basis of the information from the workpiece measuring sensors
105.
[0026] Next, the control device 106 determines compliance between
the inputted machining program and the workpiece 1 on the basis of
the actual external shape of the tool 101 and the actual external
shape, position, and orientation of the workpiece 1 determined as
described above.
[0027] Specifically, the control device 106 first compares a shape
of the workpiece assumed in the machining program inputted from the
input device 107 with the actual shape of the workpiece 1 on the
table 103 on the basis of the actual external shape of the
workpiece 1, and determines whether or not a content of machining
to be carried out complies with the workpiece 1 to be machined (S4
in FIG. 3). When the shape of the workpiece assumed in the
machining program does not comply with the shape of the workpiece 1
on the table 103, namely, when the content of machining to be
carried out does not conform to the workpiece 1 to be machined, the
control device 106 warns an operator by displaying such a fact on
the display device 112 (S5 in FIG. 3).
[0028] When the shape of the workpiece assumed in the machining
program complies with the shape of the workpiece 1 on the table
103, namely, when the content of machining to be carried out
conforms to the workpiece 1 to be machined, the control device 106
subsequently finds machining reference values including a position
of a machining start point, an inclination of a reference plane,
and the like on the basis of the position and orientation of the
workpiece 1 (S6 in FIG. 3).
[0029] Then, the control device 106 determines whether or not the
actual position and orientation of the workpiece 1 on the table 103
comply within normal ranges (S7 in FIG. 3) by comparing the actual
machining reference values including the position of the machining
start point, the inclination of the reference plane, and the like
thus found with assumed machining reference values including the
position of the machining start point, the inclination of the
reference plane, and the like which are assumed in the inputted
machining program. When the actual machining reference values do
not comply with the assumed machining reference values, namely,
when the actual position and orientation of the workpiece 1 on the
table 103 are misaligned, the control device 106 warns the operator
by displaying such a fact on the display unit 112, and displays the
information indicating the position and orientation of the
non-compliant workpiece 1 (S8 in FIG. 3).
[0030] When the actual machining reference values comply with the
assumed machining reference values, namely, when the actual
position and orientation of the workpiece 1 on the table 103 are
compliant, the control device 106 performs simulation of machining
the actual workpiece 1 inclusive of the jig on the table 103 to an
intended final shape (S9 in FIG. 3) on the basis of the various
machining conditions including the inputted machining program and
the like, the measured actual two-dimensional shapes including the
length and the diameter of the tool 101, the measured actual
three-dimensional shape of the workpiece 1, and the found actual
machining reference values including the position of the machining
start point, the inclination of the reference plane, and so
forth.
[0031] Presence of any of the following machining problems is
checked (S10 in FIG. 3) by carrying out the machining simulation of
the actual workpiece 1 to the intended final shape:
(1) Presence of interference of the workpiece 1 side inclusive of
the jig or the like with the tool 101 side such as a slide (a ram);
(2) Presence of a machining load equal to or above a prescribed
value (a machining allowance of a size equal to or above the
prescribed value); and (3) Presence of a portion of the workpiece 1
left unmachined.
[0032] Here, if there is any of the above-mentioned problems, the
control device 106 warns the operator by displaying such a fact on
the display device 112, and displays details (position, magnitude,
and the like) of such a problem (S11 in FIG. 3).
[0033] On the other hand, when there are none of these problems,
the control device 106 starts control of the actions of the motors
108 to 111 in order to perform actual machining on the workpiece 1
on the table 103 in a similar manner to the machining simulation
(S12 in FIG. 3).
[0034] Then, the control device 106 continues the actual machining
on the basis of the machining simulation. In a machining region
where the tool 101 is in contact with the workpiece 1 (S13 in FIG.
3), the control device 106 controls the actions of the motors 109
to 111 (S14 in FIG. 3) in such a manner as to relatively move the
main spindle 102 and the table 103 according as defined in the
machining program. On the other hand, in a non-machining region
where the tool 101 moves without being in contact with the
workpiece 1, the control device 106 controls (overrides) the
actions of the motors 109 to 111 (S15 in FIG. 3) in such a manner
as to move the tool 101 relatively to the workpiece 1 at a higher
speed than the moving speed such as the feeding speed of the tool
101 defined in the machining program.
[0035] Then, the actual machining on the workpiece 1 is terminated
as the machining program is terminated (S16 in FIG. 3).
[0036] In other words, the numerically-controlled machine tool 100
of this embodiment is configured to find the actual
three-dimensional shape of the workpiece 1 inclusive of the jig or
the like by using the workpiece measuring sensors 105 which perform
measurement in a non-contact manner with a laser beam or the
like.
[0037] Accordingly, the numerically-controlled machine tool 100 of
this embodiment can quickly measure the actual three-dimensional
condition of the workpiece 1 attached onto the table 103 via the
jig or the like. In addition, the following advantageous effects
can be achieved as well.
(1) It is possible to considerably simplify a conventional
operation so-called a debugging operation, in which the machining
program is executed while moving the main spindle 102 away before
machining is actually performed on the workpiece 1; meanwhile, the
operator visually checks a relation concerning an acting position
(such as the presence of the interference, the degree of
fluctuation of the machining allowance or the presence of the
portion left unmachined) of the main spindle 102 with the workpiece
1 and the operator performs adjustment so as to reflect a result of
the check in the actual machining. Thus, a burden on the operator
can be significantly reduced and fluctuation attributed to an
experience level of the operator can be eliminated. (2) The moving
speed such as the feeding speed of the tool 101 is overridden when
the tool 101 is in the non-machining region in the course of the
actual machining. Thus, processing time can be significantly
reduced.
Other Embodiments
[0038] The foregoing embodiment has described the case of providing
the workpiece measuring sensors 105 configured to measure the
three-dimensional shape and the like of the workpiece 1 in a
non-contact manner with a laser beam or the like. Instead, as
another embodiment, it is possible to provide a CCD camera
configured to shoot the three-dimensional shape and the like of the
workpiece 1, for example.
[0039] Meanwhile, in the foregoing embodiment, the tool measuring
sensor 104 configured to measure the shapes including the length,
the diameter, and the like of the tool 101, and the workpiece
measuring sensors 105 configured to measure the three-dimensional
shape and the like of the workpiece 1 in a non-contact manner are
provided. Instead, as another embodiment, it is possible to provide
measuring means for measuring the shapes including the length, the
diameter, and the like of the tool 101 and measuring the
three-dimensional shape and the like of the workpiece 1 in such a
manner as to serve as both of the tool measuring sensor 104 and the
workpiece measuring sensors 105, for example.
[0040] Meanwhile, in the foregoing embodiment, the interference of
the workpiece 1 side inclusive of the jig or the like with the tool
101 side such as the slide (the ram) is checked in the machining
simulation prior to the actual machining. Instead, as another
embodiment, it is possible to conduct machining while performing
simulation of a state ahead of a point of machining (such as 5
seconds ahead) during the actual machining, for example. Here, when
occurrence of the interference of the workpiece 1 side inclusive of
the jig or the like with the tool 101 side such as the slide (the
ram) is predicted, the controlling means is caused to warn the
operator by displaying such a fact on the displaying means, to
display a position of the interference, and to suspend the
machining. In other words, the controlling means can be provided
with a crash prevention function (see PTL 1, for example).
[0041] In the meantime, the foregoing embodiment has described the
case of checking the presence of both the machining problems of the
machining load equal to or above the prescribed value (the
machining allowance of a size equal to or above the prescribed
value) and the portion of the workpiece 1 left unmachined. However,
depending on various conditions such as accuracy associated with a
manufacturing history of the workpiece 1, it is possible to check
the presence of only one of the machining problems of the machining
load equal to or above the prescribed value (the machining
allowance of a size equal to or above the prescribed value) and the
portion of the workpiece 1 left unmachined.
[0042] In addition, the present invention is applicable as
described in the foregoing embodiment to a numerically-controlled
machine tool such as a machining center, a horizontal boring
machine or a double column piano milling machine.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0043] A numerically-controlled machine tool according to the
present invention is capable of quickly measuring an actual
three-dimensional condition of a workpiece attached onto a table
via a jig or the like, and is therefore extremely useful in metal
processing industries and the like.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0044] 1 workpiece [0045] 100 numerically-controlled machine tool
[0046] 101 tool [0047] 102 main spindle [0048] 103 table [0049] 104
tool measuring sensor [0050] 105 workpiece measuring sensor [0051]
106 control device [0052] 107 input device [0053] 108 to 111 drive
motor [0054] 112 display device
* * * * *